Defense Key in home victory over Worcester State
North Adams, MA- The MCLA Trailblazers earned a key victory over conference rival Worcester State University this afternoon 52-45. The Trailblazers used a stifling first half defensive effort to propel them to victory. With the win, MCLA is now 12-6 overall (4-2 MASCAC) while Worcester falls to 10-8 overall (4-2 MASCAC).
MCLA got off to a flying start as Jen Wehner collected 10 of the Trailblazers opening 14 points as they opened up a 14-4 advantage. After trading scores on the next few possessions, Worcester's Meaghan Burns converted a layup with 11:21 left until halftime making the score 19-10. The Lancers would go ice cold for the rest of the half as they would not score until a Gina Sicuso jumper with 90 seconds left.
MCLA only tallied eight points in the final eleven minutes of the half, but the Trailblazers stretched their lead to 27-12 holding Worcester to 6-34 shooting (17%) while the visitors also committed 7 turnovers. Wehner equaled Worcester offensive output in the opening half pouring in 12 points of her own.
Worcester came out of the locker room determined to cut into the large deficit and with 8:30 to go, they had trimmed the deficit to 35-32. A key steal off full court pressure from Wehner lead to an easy layup. That bucket was followed with a Lucy Tremblay steal which lead to a Courtney Terzi hoop giving the hosts a 39-32 lead with 7:33 left. MCLA would push the lead to eleven at 43-32 before holding off Worcester down the stretch.
Wehner would finish with game highs of 22 points and 13 rebounds. She added four blocks as well. She was joined in double figures by Alie Dobrovolc who would finish with 13 points.
Worcester was led by Kaleigh Charette who finished with 11 points and 9 rebounds. Meaghan O'Keefe added 10 points and 7 boards in the loss.
Worcester continued to struggle to hit shots as they finished the game shooting just 26%, compared to 34% for the Trailblazers. The win avenged a conference opening loss for MCLA.
MCLA will next travel to Salem on Tuesday night to face the Vikings.